This study is an attempt to provide organized and relevant objective evidence which can be used to improve student decisions. (Author)

Results of data analysis on 470 journal titles illustrate complexity of the fuzzy set theory modeling process, which consists of three factors--number of missing issues, citations, circulations--and its limitations in making journal binding decisions. Procedures of research, data collection, and data analysis are discussed. Matrices are included.…

Suggests conventional evaluation reports are inappropriate for what needs to be portrayed for software users concerned with acquisition, software adaptation, design and development, and teacher implementation decisions. Two forms for evaluating information are described and illustrated--a narrative portrayal form and a design and development…

In an effort to better understand the current wave of public and nonpublic alternative schools, a study was undertaken that focused on various aspects of one particular type of alternative--the contemporary alternative school. (Author)

Describes FOCES (Foster Care Expert System), a prototype expert system for choosing foster care placements for children which integrates information retrieval techniques with artificial intelligence. The use of prototypes and queries in Prolog routines, extended Boolean matching, and vector correlation are explained, as well as evaluation by…

Seven institutional research maxims based on research and theory about how people cognitively process information are discussed: more may not be better; augment humans with models; chunk data wisely; know decision-makers; heuristics are not always helpful; arrange tables by patterns; and accept negative evidence and new hypotheses. (Author/MLW)

This book focuses on the relevance of statistics in the day-to-day lives of principals and teachers. The step-by-step guide to using existing school data can help school leaders make more appropriate and effective decisions. The information is presented with easy-to-follow instructions, illustrations, and pertinent examples. The chapters are: (1)…

Discusses a study conducted by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) which examined the federally funded research system and the role of data for decision making in research policy. Highlights include data needs; research expenditures and personnel; the research process; measuring the outcomes of research; and the research evaluation process.…

Based on a perceived need for the development of a base of information for community education to appraise programs, to properly allocate financial support, and to support the decision making process, this study was conducted to determine the present level of data being collected by selected local education agencies and to determine the perceived…

How can the structure of a management system be reviewed? What specific data should be collected and what procedures should be followed? The specific data collection methodology consists of three steps: (1) description of process outputs, procedures, and inputs; (2) evaluation of effectiveness, needs, and priorities for change in the process; and…

This paper reports on a study that explored the possibility of measuring distance education classes using the Media Sensor, a device designed to sample and record various electronic impulses generated during a distance education session. Research questions explored: (1) the ability of the Media Sensor to identify patterns in the audio and video…

In order to "cut through the jargon of the multifaceted field of evaluative research", 21 evaluation models representing a range of possibilities were identified (via literature review) and compared in terms of purpose and five basic phases applicable to rural development. Evaluation was defined as "the systematic examination of a…

This manual describes procedures for collecting, recording, and reporting in a uniform, timely manner critical information necessary to the making of key management decisions for parent child centers as well as for the parent child center program. The first section describes recommended data collection and recordkeeping procedures for such…

The objectives of this volume are to present the National Data Coordinator with an overview of the document input-output relationships, explain data validation and processing procedures required to produce the Quarterly Management Reports from input documents submitted by the Parent Child Centers (PCC's), and to specify system resource…

The purpose of the document is to identify ways in which National Crime Survey (NCS) data can be used by criminal justice researchers and programs. The report provides an overview of the Application of Victimization Survey Results Project, describes the analytic reports compiled by the project staff, and cites the kinds of systematic information…